Following a flurry of games to start the season, a well-rested Flames squad will start its first road trip of the 2016-17 campaign with a contest against Toledo Thursday night.

UIC played its first four games over just nine days, but will have had 11 days off since their last outing, a 67-57 loss to IUPUI Nov. 19.  Head coach Regina Miller sees positives in both the compressed early schedule and the extended layoff.  "Four games in nine days gave us a good test early," she said, adding that it could pay dividends in March.  "To succeed in the Horizon League tournament you have to put several games together in a short period of time.

"Now that we've had a break, we had a chance to get back to basics and work on our fundamentals.  We broke down our defense and offense and added some things we can use in game situations."

The Flames hold impressive national rankings in several hustle stats.  They are sixth in the country in steals (14.5 per game), 18^th in rebounds (46.5 per game) which correlates to a 32^nd place ranking in rebound margin (+9.5), and are +6.25 in turnover margin, good for 33^rd place in the NCAA.

Miller knows a road game at Toledo will not be easy.  She noted, "Toledo carries a strong tradition in women's basketball and in the MAC," where they have finished in the top two in six of the last eight years.  The Rockets sport a 4-1 record on the season after suffering their first loss of the year last time out against UCLA in the Cancun Challenge.  They beat Davidson in the Thanksgiving event to start the season on a four game win streak.
 

Bender Moving Up Steals List

Terri Bender needs just two steals against Toledo to move into 5th place on UIC's all-time list: 1. Penny Armstrong (1991-95).....427 2. Chrissy Dixon (2002-06)...........259 3. Jasmine Bailey (20088-12).......258 Tasia Georganas (1989-93).......258 4. Joanne McCarthy (1992-97).....257 5. Briana Hinkle (2006-11)............224 6. Terri Bender (2012-pr.)...........222 7. Taylor Foulks (2009-13)............218

A stingy defense has been their hallmark, as Toledo has allowed just 57 points per game and disrupted opponents' offenses to the tune of 32.8% shooting and 22 turnovers. 

The Rockets are shooting over 40% from long range as a team and are led individually by Jada Woody (57%) and leading scorer Jay Bravo-Harriott (44%).   Miller knows perimeter defense will be important, saying that "we'll have to pressure the three point shot and mix things up," but wants a complete effort from her squad.  "Toledo is well balanced and can beat you off the dribble drive as well as on the catch and shoot.  We'll have to manage our possessions well," she continued.

The Flames will look to get extra possessions by exploiting their size advantage up front and grabbing rebounds.  Teodora Zagorac (8.3 rebounds per game, 6'3") and Tyra Carlsten-Handberg (3.5 rpg, 6'4") are the tallest players on either roster and have led UIC to a +9.5 rebounding margin this season.  Toledo was outrebounded in both games in Cancun.

UIC and Toledo have faced off seven times previously, most recently last year when Toledo grabbed a 61-50 win at UIC Pavilion.  The Rockets own a 6-1 advantage in the all time series, including an active five game winning streak.  The Flames' lone victory came in 1982.

Thursday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and live stats will be available on Toledo's website, utrockets.com.